Wtf?
 

Many of you may have read my post regarding me getting a new engine under warranty. It took me about 5 weeks to get the car back from the dealer. Prior to taking it in for the engine replacement I had a new aftermarket bumper installed. so all in all I have not had the car for like 6-7 weeks. Anyways I get the car back like two weeks ago on a Friday. I drive the car for like 2 days and notice that the new bumper is falling off. I take it back to the autobody that put it on and they tell me someone bottomed out the car and shows me the scratches on the underside of the bumper. Rather than argue with the dealer I pay the shop $100 dollars to remount the bumper. I also had them repaint my rear lip spoiler while it was in getting repaired (this was included in the $100) So I pick up the car on Thursday and decide I am going to drive the car to work rather than driving my daily driver. Now keep in mind this is like the third day I drove it since the engine was replaced. While driving it to work I notice it is idling badly. So again I'm like WTF! I get to work and figure I better check the oil. (even though I have barely driven the car). While checking the oil I notice my filter is hanging off the intake. I have the K & N Typhoon V2 intake. In looking at it closer the filter is torn like 3/4 around. It actually looks like something ate away at the filter. So I look up the cost to replace the filter, $96. I'm like no way am I eating this too. I call the dealer and they ask me to bring it in. The head mechanic looks at the filter and comes to the same conclusion that I did something ate away at the filter. He goes on to say they didn't use anything other than carb cleaner to clean up the engine. He also says he can not determine whether the dealer can pay to have the filter replaced and that he would have to call his superior. He said there is a 50% chance it will get paid for. I obviously expressed my concern and told him I expect this to be paid for because I did nothing to cause this problem. I did not clean the engine bay with any cleaners since I got the car back and they were the last ones to touch the intake and filter. I am supposed to call back this afternoon to get the verdict. My question to the forum is does anyone know of anything that would cause the rubber on the filter to break-down like this? And is it likely that the dealer will pay for a replacement since it is obviously no fault of mine? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

that sounds really strange maybe som chemical they used but if it was sth they used that ate away at the rubber id be worried about what else it ate away at too!